The Swiss franc eased further on Thursday as markets awaited Swiss consumer price data to assess whether the central bank would have to fight renewed risks of deflation or the build up of inflation pressures.
Analysts at Commerzbank said speculation about an early interest rate hike could resurface and lend some support to the franc should Swiss consumer price data for December show a surprise rise.
"After the upside surprise with eurozone inflation figures, it seems likely that Swiss prices also rose more than the market expects," the analysts said in a note to clients. In a Reuters poll, analysts forecast a annual inflation rate of 0.4 percent, up from 0.2 percent in November.
The franc was 0.1 percent down against the euro compared to the New York close, trading at 1.2717 per euro at having dropped around 2 percent over the last two sessions. The franc was 0.1 percent weaker against the dollar at 0.9664 per dollar, having lost around 3.5 percent in the last two days.